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In preparation for his role in Sean Ellis’ boxing drama ‘The Cut’, Orlando Bloom underwent a dramatic physical transformation, losing 52 pounds in just three months. Portraying a boxer racing to make weight, Bloom’s character endures severe physical challenges, and the actor himself mirrored this, adhering to a strict diet that included minimal foods like tuna and cucumber.
Bloom started at around 185 pounds and shed the weight progressively under the guidance of a nutritionist who previously worked with Christian Bale. His transformation wasn’t just physical; Bloom spoke about the significant mental strain he faced, noting the toll of sleep deprivation and caloric depletion. At his lightest during filming, Bloom described his brain as “dead” and his body “shutting down” as he approached the lowest point of his journey.
Director Sean Ellis shot ‘The Cut’ in reverse chronological order, meaning that Bloom started filming at his lowest weight and then gradually regained some weight during the 25-day shoot. This helped avoid the impossibility of maintaining such extreme calorie depletion throughout production. Ellis remarked that working in this state of exhaustion added authenticity to Bloom’s portrayal.
‘The Cut’ is more than a typical boxing film. Its raw depiction of the physical sacrifices athletes make shocked audiences at its Toronto Film Festival premiere, where some viewers reportedly passed out due to the visceral intensity. The film, which focuses on the disturbing body transformations boxers endure, including draining blood and using diuretics, is as much a body horror as a sports drama.
Despite the challenges, Bloom found excitement in pushing his limits, though he cautioned fans against trying such extreme measures. Reflecting on his fiancée Katy Perry's upcoming album, Bloom shared his admiration for her, calling her a “powerhouse” whose work keeps getting better.
